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Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

bbc.co.uk

241–250 of 651 posts

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#241

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not all the tax cuts announced were bad or badly received. Especially, I think that the cancellation of the rise in corporation tax was very welcome and in fact economists now say that the rise to 25% will make the recession deeper and longer (unsurprisingly, frankly). The issue was that the other cuts, especially abolishing 45p income tax rate but frankly also the decrease of the basic rate, were not discussed, not…

Ya'll only have 25% corporate tax rate in England? America is jealous.

The issue is that it'll send the UK up the chart and among the higher rates in Europe at a time when the economy is not going well and when the country needs to sell itself while outside of the EU and single market.

Btw, the US's the federal rate is 21% (which is also about the European average) but I suppose states may add their own on top.

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#242

I know this topic is important in substance and the thing I'm about to say is an aesthetic issue, but as an American watching this unfold I have admired the Brits for the sense of heart that still seems to be present in their politics. I'm referring to the parliamentary sessions in which, even though they're savagely roasting each other, they're doing in a way that feels somehow good-hearted and doesn't lay bare the…

One of my favorite C-Span shows was The Prime Minister's Questions[0]. Don't mess with British politicians. Even the grumpiest old dogs can savage most American politicians, as the folks that tried roasting Galloway found out[1]. [0] https://www.c-span.org/series/?PrimeMinisterQue [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5u1skEoqLs

This always seemed to me like pure theater.

Have there ever been any serious consequences to anything anyone ever said during the Prime Minister's Questions?

Or are they (like every other politician the world over) just putting on a good show for the folks back home?

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#243
post #71
post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Britain, Brazil, Australia, Philippines, India, Turkey, U.S … it is mind numbing that of all the good, talented people these countries have, only the dumbest, worst of the worst end up in positions of power. Depressing. At this point, we can just randomly pick a citizen to be President or PM. We might have better chances that way

It's the same in many other countries. They just ain't that big and language barrier prevents from looking deeper into BS that is going on there. Overall the issue is that this career route does not pay well. E.g. in my country a mid-level developer earns as much as parliament member. Specialised constructions workers can make as much too. Why the hell would you pursue career in politics if you can easily make as cus…

Corruption. You don't get rich by drawing your salary as a politician, you get rich by being corrupt.

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#244

I know this topic is important in substance and the thing I'm about to say is an aesthetic issue, but as an American watching this unfold I have admired the Brits for the sense of heart that still seems to be present in their politics. I'm referring to the parliamentary sessions in which, even though they're savagely roasting each other, they're doing in a way that feels somehow good-hearted and doesn't lay bare the…

I have spent very little time (maybe a couple months in my whole life) in the UK, but when I go it definitely feels to me like Britons feel a much keener sense of the Commons there than we do here in the US.

It's not just you. It's how what you do affects other people. This is a better way to live than the "I got mine, fuck you" which seems more common in the US.

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#245

I know this topic is important in substance and the thing I'm about to say is an aesthetic issue, but as an American watching this unfold I have admired the Brits for the sense of heart that still seems to be present in their politics. I'm referring to the parliamentary sessions in which, even though they're savagely roasting each other, they're doing in a way that feels somehow good-hearted and doesn't lay bare the…

For all parliament's faults, it's still largely populated by well educated, intelligent individuals who are skilled orators and debaters. Even some of the most awful parliamentarians would easily talk circles around me in any kind of debate.

For anyone not aware, a large number of our politicians come from a background at public schools such as Eton, and read Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Oxford. Institutions such as these place great significance on rhetoric and adversarial debate as a method of reaching consensus. Stephen Fry's address to Oxford is worth watching, where he discusses Oscar Wilde's quote about the Oxford manner being the ability to play gracefully with ideas.

One huge downside of this system is that our politicians are widely considered out of touch and unrepresentative. The role of public schools and Oxford PPE degrees in our political system is an area of active debate within society right now.

If you are ever interested in contemporary British politics, the podcast "The Rest Is Politics" is a great place to start.

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#246

Another disappointing result for conservative politics worldwide. While her character may be in question, her policies were on point. I do hope that we're not starting to see a whiplash effect where people are against good, reasoned, conservative policy for the sake of a few bad calls.

I'm a little out of the loop, and not that familiar with UK politics.

What policies do you think we're on point and representative of good conservatism?

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#247
post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rank choice and optional preferential voting have their own special tyranny. I just voted for a council election where I had to order at least 5 alderman out of 55 listed candidates. No parties, no voting guides. It was a lot of reading for me.

Reading? In this economy? The gall! No offense but if the idea of finding 5 candidates you can feel comfortable voting for is too much work, you shouldn't be voting.

Well I did vote and I did read all 55 pitches from the candidates. They only recently made the voting compulsory so that's going to make things interesting for all the people out there who don't do any reading and want to avoid the fine.

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#248
post #53

Earlier quoted context omitted.

George Canning died in office, he wasn’t pushed out for being a miserable failure who crashed the economy.

According to the article: > The second shortest serving PM was George Canning, who served for 119 days after dying in 1827. Sounds like the UK has had an undead PM.

paging cstross

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#249

As a smug continental European the next thing I predict regarding UK is that they exit NATO and form a government in exile in Spain.

> and form a government in exile in Spain Just curious: is this a reference to something?

British boomers are all there already.

Re: Liz Truss resigns as UK prime minister

#250

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One of my favorite C-Span shows was The Prime Minister's Questions[0]. Don't mess with British politicians. Even the grumpiest old dogs can savage most American politicians, as the folks that tried roasting Galloway found out[1]. [0] https://www.c-span.org/series/?PrimeMinisterQue [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5u1skEoqLs

This always seemed to me like pure theater. Have there ever been any serious consequences to anything anyone ever said during the Prime Minister's Questions? Or are they (like every other politician the world over) just putting on a good show for the folks back home?

I suspect the latter. They are also putting on a show for each other.

Most of the stuff that actually happens, does so, in the shadows (for good or ill).

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